Harding: Marindia Turner – 11 kills
Harding: Liv Savage – 10 kills
Arkansas-Monticello: Tori Bozzo – 13 kills and 10 digs

SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team defeated Arkansas-Monticello 3-0 on Tuesday in Great American Conference action at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons improved to 18-7 overall and 7-0 in the GAC.

Harding extended its conference winning streak to 24 matches and its home match win streak to 22 matches. Both streaks date back to the 2011 season. During the 2003-05 seasons, HU won 25 straight conference matches and 36 straight home matches.

Harding took a 8-3 lead in the first set before Arkansas-Monticello scored three out the next four points to pull within three. That was the closest UAM got the rest of the set as HU won 25-20.

The Lady Bisons jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the second set and coasted until set point. The Cotton Blossoms trailed 24-15 but wouldn't go down without a fight as they went on a 4-0 run before giving up a service error to give Harding the set, 25-20.

Harding rested most of its starters to start the third set. Tied 10-10, HU went on a 7-2 run on three kills by junior middle blocker Liv Savage as the Lady Bisons took a 17-12 lead. Arkansas-Monticello battled back and cut the HU lead to two, 17-15, on a 3-0 run. Harding put the set out of reach on a 7-0 run led by three kills by junior outside hitter Marindia Turner. The Lady Bisons took the set 25-17 on a kill by Turner.

Turner led Harding with 11 kills and Savage had 10 kills.

The HU defense was led by senior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland who had 11 digs.

Arkansas-Monticello (11-13, 2-7 GAC) was led by senior outside hitter Tori Bozzo who captured a double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs.

HU sported pink jerseys during the match and sold pink t-shirts before the game as all proceeds went to a freshman volleyball player at Arkansas Tech who was diagnosed with Cancer in August.

Harding will hit the road this weekend for two GAC matches. The Lady Bisons will face Southern Nazarene in Bethany, Okla., on Thursday at 7 p.m. Both teams head into the contest tied for first place in the GAC standings. HU will then travel to Weatherford, Okla., to face Southwestern Oklahoma State at 3 p.m., on Saturday.